by Peter Carlson | Sep 6, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
The Concentration Awakening Factor is also known as Right Concentration, a key element of the Noble Eightfold Path. Peter described how this Awakening Factor coordinates with the Mindfulness, Investigation Of Mental Phenomena and Effort (Right Effort) Awakening Factors, making the emergence of the Awakening Factors of Joy and Tranquility develop to maturity. Concentration manifests as Fixed Concentration and alternatively as Momentary Concentration, and the function of each was described. This explanation was followed by general discussion of how to cultivate this Awakening Factor and the benefits derived from that practice in daily life.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: CONCENTRATION AWAKENING FACTOR
Next week’s topic will be the Equanimity Awakening Factor, which functions to foster balance among the different factors.
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 19, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
During this talk, Peter described dukkha as distress and confusion rather than the traditional term suffering, as he believes the alternate terms are more specifically targeted on craving (distress) and clinging (confusion), the causes of dukkha. The development of aiming and sustaining attention on breath awareness is the primary skill to be cultivated in this effort. He described the Five Hindrances in their characteristics, function and antidotes, with mindfulness of breathing leading the way. The result from setting aside the hindrances is the experience of Samma Samadhi, Right Concentration, an element of the Noble Eightfold Path. This was followed by a question and answer period to address the day’s experience and the topic of this talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE-OUT-OF-BALANCE-MIND
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by Peter Carlson | Mar 18, 2018 | Listen to Dharma Talks
This talk focused on a more in-depth exploration of Samma Samadhi, Right Concentration. Peter modified the understanding by including passadhi, tranquility, as characteristic of an effective balance of stable attention and internal calmness and non-reactivity. During the talk, this stage of practice was described as providing alternatives for developing the mind, either into jhana practice or vipassana practice. This was followed by a question and answer period to clarify the day’s practice and issues from the talk.
Here are the notes prepared for this talk: SAMMA SAMADHI
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20:43 — 147.8MB)
